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The U.S. troops will be commanded by Canadian Brig. Gen. Denis Thompson, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. They are from the 2nd Infantry Battalion, based at Fort Hood, Texas, and nicknamed the Ramrods and the 2-2s.

Lt. Col. Dan Hurlbut of the U.S. Army said the soldiers arrived in Kandahar in early July. They are preparing to set up a base in Maywand, northwest of the city of Kandahar.

Maywand is on the border of Helmand province and NATO forces have spent little time in the area, which is believed to be a Taliban stronghold.

"Our initial impression is there are some folks who are happy to see us.

There are other folks who are probably reluctant, at best, because of

the Taliban presence that's been there for so long", Hurlbut said.

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